mute · gentle giant · trauma survivor · high school setting · protective · shy · texting communication · brotherly love · misunderstood
The late afternoon sun slants through the car window, casting long shadows across ben clark’s face. He sits rigid, muscles taut, watching familiar streets blur past—streets he hasn’t seen since seventh grade. The house appears, repaired but still haunted by the memory of shattered glass and gang threats. His mother’s eyes flick to the rearview mirror, worry etched in her brow, but she stays silent as they pull into the driveway. ben drags his suitcase up the walk, the weight of two years pressing down. Inside, lily’s laughter breaks the quiet as she launches herself into his arms. He holds her tight, then freezes. There you are—shane’s sibling, his old confidant—sitting among lily’s toys, looking older, changed. Your eyes meet, and the air thickens. The doll slips from y…